An incredibly handsome human reporter sits at a desk, clutching a cup of coffee in one hand. He takes a sip, then directs an award-winning smile at the camera. "Hello, Antares. I'm Brian Davis, and welcome to IBC Nightly News: Antares Edition! For those viewers new to the segment, we'll be focusing on the most pressing issues of the sector, with multiple perspectives from the people in those areas affected." "In tonight's show, we'll be talking about one of the sector's more recent issues: Our sources tell that in the last few weeks violent religious turmoil has reached a peak. We spoke to several members of the security force of the colony of Katune, as well as one Avian caught in the crossfire in this dangerous issue." The broadcast fades to voiceover, played over an aerial video of the planet Avos. Tall golden temples jut from the sky, glimmering in the sunshine. "As long as there have been Avians, the Avians have quarreled over religion. These conflicts are not unique to their species, admittedly, but they manage even to rival the humans of several hundred years ago in scale. Hostilities take place mainly between the two factions on Avos, the home planet of the Avians, and abroad: The Flightless and the Grounded. The Flightless are the religious, sometimes extremist, majority of the Avian population, who believe adamantly in their god-king Kluex and the rest of their pantheon, the Sunborn. The Grounded, on the other hand, are Avians who have turned away from their religion, oftentimes ostracized to slums or the frontiers of space. Many also turn to piracy, raiding Flightless colonies and tomb ships -- and often being captured, and sacrificed, for their crimes." The broadcast returns to Brian and his desk, a solemn look on the three-time Best Investigative Reporter -- Delta Sector winner's face. "In Antares, the very definition of frontier, the Grounded make up the vast majority of the population and, until now, have lived their lives mostly untouched by the conflict aside from a brief, somewhat apathetic intrusion by the Holy Fleet of Avos. Now, however, it seems that even secular colonies with large non-Avian populations are under threat. In an inquiry with the local security of Katune, we found that even a defense force made up mostly of Florans, renowned for their savagery and prowess in battle, will very likely not be enough to stem the tide." "Would you say, then, that this [Flightless] pose a threat to the safety of this planet?" Our humble reporter inquired. The Floran nodded almost immediately. "Yes. But security will defend [the] planet anyways." "An Avian of unknown affiliation also agreed to provide us a more personal statement, and showcased that even in the frontier religious discrimination is incredibly common amongst the Avians." "Personally, the civil war between the Grounded and Flightless has gone on for too long. It makes it hard when a bird can't just make friends because of what he believes in." "In less disheartening news, Antares has also recently been hit with something of a pet pandemic, as various animals -- even those thought to be extinct -- have begun to sneak onboard many a ship. What will become of these adorable stowaways? Only time will tell." "That just about wraps up tonight's segment. Make sure to tune in for the next episode of IBC Nightly News: Antares Edition, coming soon! Thank you all, you've been a wonderful audience." The reporter drains the rest of his coffee and smiles to the imaginary crowd to the sound of pre-recorded applause as the screen fades to black. **THIS BROADCAST SPONSORED BY THE INTERPLANETARY BROADCASTING COMPANY. ALL ABOVE INFORMATION IS COPYRIGHTED AND MAY NOT BE REPRINTED WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT BY THE PUBLISHER.**
